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Reveal, James L.

Fraxinus latifolia

Fraxinus latifolia Benth.

Oregon Ash

Oleaceae (Olive Family)

Synonym(s): Fraxinus oregona, Fraxinus pennsylvanica ssp. oregona

USDA Symbol: FRLA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Oregon ash is a narrow-crowned, straight-trunked tree when grown in thickets, becoming more broad-crowned in the open. Growing 30-75 ft., this tree bears stout branchlets and light-green, pinnately compound, deciduous leaves. Fall color is a clear yellow.

Oregon Ash is the only ash native to the Northwest and the only western ash with commercially important wood; it is used for furniture, flooring, millwork, paneling, boxes, and fuel. It is also planted as a shade tree along the Pacific Coast. According to an old superstition in the Northwest, poisonous snakes are unknown where this ash grows, and rattlesnakes will not crawl over a branch or stick from the tree.

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Samara
Size Notes: Up to about 75 feet tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: W. base of Sierras from Kern to Modoc Cos., Coast Ranges from Santa Clara Co. to B.C.
Native Habitat: Moist canyon sites & stream banks below 5500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist, rich, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: This tree is good for revegetating wet, lowland areas.

Propagation

Description: Seeds may be sown outdoors after collection or stored and stratified then sown in spring.
Seed Treatment: Stratify in moist sand or perlite for 30-60 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FACW							FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 36 - Jepson eFlora (2019) The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Fraxinus latifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Fraxinus latifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Fraxinus latifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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